Chafing strip building machine



Feb. 23, 1932. R s KIRK 1,846,260

CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1925 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 N 3 N O 5 (n or I J'YVUWtQZ Raphael S. Kirk,

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Feb. 23, 1932. R, s. KIRK 1,346,260

GHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qaphaal 5. Kirk,

Feb. 23, 1932. R, s, KQRK 1,846,260

CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept: 16, 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 23, 1932. R. s. KIRK 1,846,260

CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1926 IQSheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 23, 1932. R. s. KIRK CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1926 12 Sheet Sheet 5 gwumto'v Raphael Kirk,

Feb. 23, 1932. R. s. KIRK GHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 16

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CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 192 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 1 phael 5. Kirk,

Feb. 23, 1932. R. s, KlRK 1,346,259

cmmne STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1926 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 5. m S m. dmmw 0mm avg new #25 llaphael 8. Kirk,

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R. S. KIRK CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept.

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Elliot W21 Feb. 23, 1932; R. s. KIRK CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 16, 1925 l3 Sheets-Sheet 10 M .0 m 3w 3w P u M m m M w m6 9% J/X .l-

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ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1932. R. s. KIRK CHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Filed Sept. l6

l2 Sheets-Sheet 12 wma |NVENTOR-. llaphaq! Kirk ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs- RAPHAEL s. KIRK, or AKR K, oino, Assmnon To THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, or men, OHIO, A conrona'rron or onto GHAFING STRIP BUILDING MACHINE Applicationlfiled September 16, 1926. Serial No. 135,850.

My invention relates toa method and ma chine for manipulating rubber strips and rubberized fabric bands'and it has partlcular relation to a method of and machine for fabricating chafing strips such as are commonly utilized in protecting the bead portions of pneumatic tires.

One object of my invention is to provide method of continuously building chafing strips. i

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanical structure capable of fabricating chafing strips without manually arranging the component parts thereof.

A. further object of the invention resides in the provision of a chafing strip building machine which is capable of manufacturing products of different dimensions, structure and arrangement.

Another object of my invention is to pr0- vide a method and machine for removing strips of unvulcanized rubber tissue from lined rolls thereof.

In order to protect the bead portion of a pneumatic tire from the wearing action of the rim upon which it is mounted, as well as to insure a safe anchorage of the bead in the plies of tire fabric, it is common practice to inolose this portion of the tire within what is known. as a chafing strip. The strip consists of several superimposed bands of rubberized fabric and often includes one or more strips of unvulcanized rubber tissue. The length. of the strip is dependent upon the size of the tire; whereas the number of layers of fabric, as well as of rubber tissue, depends largely upon the character andquality of the tire in whichthe product is to be incorporated. Under some circumstances it may be desirable to build a strip having only two layers of fabric with one of rubber, whereas under other circumstances this may be changed to three layers of fabric and two of rubber, or any other combination. Obviously,to meet these varying demands a machine is required that is readily capable of adjustment.

I-Ieretofore. chafing strips have been built upon a rotatable drum by manually superimposing a plurality of layers of the building material. According to my invention Ihave provided continuously operated means for supplying a plurality ofuninterrupted bands of fabric to a device for measuring and cutting the fabric into proper lengths; The lengths of I material are superimposed and stitched together to form the fabricated prodnot; If it is desired to interpose one or more gum strips, these are supplied to the fabric band before the cutting operation is effected, from a device which is adapted to unwind a lined roll containing the strips. It operates in conjunction with a member adapted to dis engage the adhering liner from the unvulcanized rubber strip. J

A better understanding of my invention maybe had by referring to the drawings, in which: .1

. Fig. 1 isa diagrammatic plan machine embodying the principles of my in vention; i I

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View, on a View of a larger scale, of the main structure illustrated inFig.1; 9 i

Fig. 3 1s a plan View, partially in crosssection, of the band measuring and cutting elements,together with the drive and timing mechanism;v i

Fig. 4: is a side elevational View of the structure illustrated inFig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 4, illustrating the relation of the measuring rollsiand the cutting member, as Welles the guiding and stitching elements;

Fig.6 is a cross-sectionalyiew, taken substantially along the line VIVI'of.Fig. a;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line VII:VII of Fig. l; Fig. 8 is likewise a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line VIII VIII of Fig.4; 9

Fig. 9 is a rear end-elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view lof a guide member; i

Fig. 11 is a front elevationalview ofan auxiliary stitching roll illustrating its relation tothe. adjacent measuring rollers gum strip supplying Idevicep J Fig. 13 is a side elevational View, partly -'.-speed of the gum strip Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially along the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 1.3.;

Fig. 15 is a plan view on a hing-er scale, of

the reversing mechanism which operates the rewinding device ofthe gum strip supplying unit; Y

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of-the slidable collar taken substantially along the .line XVI-XVI of Fig. 13.

'Fig. 17 is a fragmentary side .elevati-onal View of a portion of the gum strip supplying device illustrating :an alternative form of :ecoentrrc and Weight mechanism;

7 Fig. 18 is a frontvi'ew of the structure illustrated in Fig.1.7; 1 Fig. 19 is'afront elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a "transmission mechanism for varying therelative rates of supplying device and band mea'snning deviceayand 1 :20 is :a :side elevatidual-vietv, broken oif thedevicefililustratedin 1:9. The machine may be conveniently divided into several mechanicail units which cooperate to perform the objects of the innention. These include :means for supplying the materials including fabric hand supplying means and rubber strip supplying means; .Another "portion of the structure serves to measure (the fabric-bands into lengths, which are subsequently severed and superimposed. fl he. resulting product is then ready to be placed in so-tcalled fabric" lined zbooks prep a ratory for transportation. T

The band supplying aneazns, as :the name indioatesgserves to provide continuous bands of fabric which are subsequently aligned,

measured and cut into lengths. Wlri'ltthe ra sultingzband material is cut into lengths, the lengths remain intacit, although they may readily :be separated by subjecting the -band to but a slight tensile :force inthe region of the rut portion. Thecutting operation is similar to thataof :a rotary bias :cutter, that is, v

the knife edge does not cut entirely thirough the fibrous material ibut merely una-shes or crushes tit. The-crushing action issufiicient however .fo we'aken'the fibers, after which theymay be parted without difficulty.

fen

The mmrfimuousibands:comprising the cut lengths sure discharged in superimposed alignment, and are stitched, itogether in a manner 'avherebythecut portions of the layefl's are staggered with Irespect :to l ea-c'h oth'er. Adjacent'uthe staggered end portions of 'the superimposed product no stitching operation is performediin order that the overlapping ends of tadjoininepchafing strips unaymot adhere too'tena'ci'ously; When it iis desired ito Incorporate eneior more gum strips .in *the chafing strip prn'du'ct, dlhe'zm bb'er rtissue us supplied to and united with the individual bands before they are subjected to the action of the cutting members. The rubber tissue 1s supplied from a mechanism adapted to support a lined roll containing perhaps fifteen :or twenty individual strips. By rewinding the roll repeatedly about two shells or spools, conveniently disposed, the desired number of stripsmayhe removed which may then be conveyedtothe vicinity of the band-- measuring-and cut-ting means.

Band feeding device This portion of, the machine includes a trellis that comprises a plurality of vertically disposed angle-ironsQl which are maintained in alignment by'cross members 22. Three --horizontal members 23, :24 and 25, fat slight angles to each other,

disposed are provided with a plurality -of-roller members 27. jacent each of theend-rolls, eye members 28a and 286 are mounted, through which bands of fabric 29 are conducted. These serve as guides. forfmaintaming the bands v1n alignment with the rollers over Which they are uonveyed. 2 I

A book (not shown) ofrbias cut bands is disposed beneath each of the rollersupport- 7 ing horizontalmembers, the :ends (of the several tinuous'and uninterrupted band. -When it is idesiredthat'the chafing strip product have two'rlayers. of fabric, it *wi-l-lbe necessary to employ two books simultaneously. If, on the other :hand, three layers :of fabric are desired in the. chafing strip. product, three books should be employed. In the. same manner any number of layers of fabric material may be utilized, depending uponthe character of thefinishedrproduct. The individual continuous band in each instance is conducted throughthe outer eye member 28a an d is con- Where workmen Tjoin bands to form a conveyedover the several idling ro'llers127 .inwthe direction of the measuring and cuttingzdevice.

Each band is respectively drawn over-the rolls by individual-supply or feed rollers .31, 32 and 33. The several feed 'rollers are'driven at substantially identical peripheral speeds. "Shafts 34,35, and 36, provided for supporting the feed rollers, are j ournaled in vertical plate members 37 that are secured to the angle-irons 2:1. .Theshafts are rotated by means of afichain drive, to be described later. In order to :insure frictional contact between the supply rollerand the band, auxiliary rotatable members 41 areinounted upon arms .42 which are pivoted :in the, plate members .37. Each arm 42 is resiliently maintained in engagement with the respective driven rollers 31, 32 andz33 by means .of a tension spring 43, one end of which :is secured 130' the pivotable arm 42, Whereas the other end is secured to the plate 87. Idler rollers are 'journaled upon the frame of the :trellis at convenient points in order .to' guide iii the bands about various structural elements. For example, rollers 46 and 47 prevent the adjacent portions of the bands 29 from en gaging each other. Likewise rollers l8 and 49 function similarly.

Although the several supply rollers are driven at a uniform peripheral speed, it frequently happens in practice, particularly when the stock is not uniform, thct' bands controlled by one of the supply units will be loose or slack, whereas bands controlled by another supply unit will be taut. In order to compensate for this undesirable condition, I have so designed the rollers 31, 32 and 33 that they are expansible and are adjustable at will. To this end a portion of each drive shaft of each roller is provided with a screw-threaded surface. The roller itself consists of several parts (see Fig. 12) including two parallel disc members 51 which form the outer portions. These disc members are loosely mounted upon the shaft but are maintained in alignment by nuts 53 screwed upon the shaft 36. Between the discs is interposed the roller proper which consists of two helm-cylinders 5i and 55, which inclose the threaded shaft and have tapped registering openings 56 extending diametrically therethrough. A pin 58 passes through the shaft wherein it is freely rotatable, andis provided with threads disposed in opposite directions, which mesh with those of the tap holes in the helm-cylinders. By rotating the pin, it is possible to cause the segmental cylindrical members 54 and 55 to separate or to approach each other, depending upon the direction of rotation. In order to change the effective circumference of any of the rollers 31, 32 or 33, the nuts are first loosened, the pin 58 is then rotated in the proper direction to adjust the segmental members 54 and 55, after which the nuts may again be tightened.

A gum strip supplying device, to be hereinafter described in detail, supplies a plurality of gum strips 60, which are guided to the bands 29 by means of a plurality of rollers 61, 62, and 63 secured at proper locations upon the structural elements 21 and 37.

Having supplied the various chafing strip building materials, it is important that they be brought into the proper alignment. This is accomplished by means of guides 65 (Fig. 10) which are satisfactory for aligning either the gum strips or the fabric bands 29. Each guide consists of a slotted plate 6? having a set of parallel end members 68 and 69 secured thereto. A narrow metal strip 71 is secured to the end members and is spaced from the plate 67. Two rollers 72 and, 73 are disposed in the end members between which the band passes. The band is maintained in engagement with the end member 69 by an elongate leaf spring 74. One end of the spring 74 isrigidly secured to a pilot bar 76, while the other or free end thereof extends within a slot 75 provided in the guide. The pilot bar 76 is integrally joined to the collar 77 which encloses a screw-threaded shaft 78 that is rotatably disposed within bearings in the end members 68 and 69. To facilitate manual rotation of the shaft 78 a knob 7 9 is secured to one of its ends. The end member 69 is integral with a pin 81 that is adapted to fit reamed openings 82 (Figs. 5 and 11) provided therefor in a casting 91 of the assembling unit. The guide is adapted to be secured in any position of adjustment by a set screw 83. For convenience, the lateral position of adjustment may be defined by a collar member 84 that surrounds the pin 81 and is secured thereto by a set screw (not shown). By in serting the pin 81 within the opening 82 so as to cause the collar 84 to engage or abut the casting 91 the guide 65 may be adjusted and secured in adjusted position by manipu lating the set screws 83.

Measuring, cutting and stitching (lem'ce This portion ofthe machine will be' described by followingthe path of the drive The measuring and centering device unit is driven from a single source of power (not shown) by a link belt 96 which is trained over a gear 97. The gear is keyed to a shaft 98, one of whose ends is journaled in the rear casting 92, and the other end in the intermediate casting 93. Apinion 99 is likewise keyed to this shaft, which drives a gear 101 disposed directly above the pinion. This gear is keyed to a shaft 102 (Fig. 6) one end of which is rotatably supported in the intermediate casting 93 and the other end is likewise supported in a bracket 103 that is disposed adjacent the differential 94. A small sprocket 106 and a pinion 104 are keyed to this shaft. sprocket 108 disposed therebelow, by means of a chain 109. The pinion 104; drives a gear 111, which is keyed to a shaft 112. In order that the chain 109 may be maintained taut, an idler sprocket 113 is slida'bly disposed in a slotted bracket 11 1, which is secured to the intermediate casting 93. The large sprocket 108, which is driven by the chain 109 is keyed to a shaft 116 that is journaled in the outer casting 91 and the intermediate casting 93.

This shaft drives a plurality of sprockets 117, 118 and 119 which are provided for the purpose of driving the auxiliary elements, such as the supply rollers 31, 32 and 33 and a gum strip removing device, to be described The former drives a large later. As best shownimFigs. 2 and3,a1chain 1 21'trained over thesprocket-zll'l' rotates the shaft 35, which supportsthe'supply roller 32, and the shaft in turn is connected-by another sprocket chain 122 to the. shaftr31 supporting the upper roller 31'. A chain:123, which is located immediately adj acent. chain 121 rotates the supply roller 33 and also a main d'rive shaft 124, whichoperates the gum strip removing device.

Ref rringagain to gear'lll which .is keyed totheshaft 112, it will be observed that one end of the shaft 112serves as an'aXle for the differential mechanism 94:.where it is rotatably supportediin a bearing 130. The other end of: the shaft 112 extends to thefront of the machine andis journaled inboth theinter mediate and the-front castings. A steel .collar 131 is keyed to the front end. ofthe shaft 112,.a nd serves as a measuring roller. for one ofthe bands 29. Ageari l32iszkeyedto the shaft 112 between the front and intermediate castings and drives a gear 133, which is keyed to a shaft 134, the latter being housed in both the front and intermediate castings. The shaft 134 likewise is provided with. a collar: member 135 secured to aprojectingportion of-the shaft and'servesas an additional measuring roller. It will be noted that these two rollers 131 and 135 are rotated continuously. Below the rollers 131 and 135, is another set of shafts 137 and 138 provided with integral roller portions 1370. and 138a, roller 137a being similar in construction to-rollers 131-and'135, already described, whereas roller 138a, differs in that it has a helical knife 139 secured to its periphery. The latter shaft 138 is journalled within the castings 91 and- 93. The portion of the shaft 138 intervening bctween its journal bearings is inclosed by a jacket or casting member 14:1 within which the shaft 138 is'freely journaled. The jacket 14-1 is formed with anintegral sleeve port-ion 1 12 which incloses a part of the same'shaft projecting beyond the front casting. The jacket has a reamed opening to accommodate the shaft 137. Theshaft 137 and j acketltl, including. the sleeve 142 are pivotally supported about the shaft 138. Springs 143 and 1 1 1 engaging the jacket 1 1-1 serve to establish the-proper relationship between adjacent rollers 131' and 137 at. These springs are maintained at the desired degree of compression by supporting bolts 1 16 and 1 17, that are screwed in tap holes provided therefor in the outer and intermediate castings, respectively. I

As best shown in Fig. 6, a bifurcated member 1 18' is bolted to the jacket- 141 and a roller 1 19 is rotatably mounted within the bifurcated P03111611. The roller engages a cam 151 mounted upona shaft 152. The cam, whose operation will be described more completely.

hereinafter, causes the arm L18 to oscillate,

which, .in turn, causes the shaft 137'to: pivot aboutthe'shaft 138-as a fulcrurm .As has been. already stated, one end. of the shaft 137 has a collar 137a:securedthereto,

similar to the collar 131,1fon measuring bands. The end of the shaft137- opposite that which carries the integralroller portion137ais provided with a gear'1'53 keyed thereto, which mesheswit-h a gear. 154 that is keyed tothe shaft: 112. r The pitch of the teeth of the-gears 153 and 15a is sufficiently great to render them in'mesh at alltimes with each other,

notwithstanding the fact that'they are adapt ed to'mo-ve toward andaway'from each other.

The shaft 137, as wellas shafts 112'and'134,

is rotated continuously Adjacent each of. the measuring rollers 131,.135and 137a an idler roller 156'is ro tatably mounted" upon a lever 157 which is pivotably secured in-the front casting. Each idler rolleris resiliently maintained in engagement with its measuring rollbya spring 158, which is compressed by an adjustable bolt or set screw. 159 that is bracketed iii-the frame 91. The guide members 65 for the band and gum strip are adjusted tofeed the strips of fabric and rubber-material between and fabric surface is rotatably mounted on a lever 163 which is pivoted upon a bracket 164; The bracket is secured to the frame'ca'sting 91 and is provided with a set screw 166 adjustableto limit the extent of downward'movement of the roller 161 when the measuring roller 137a which it normally'engages, as indicated at 167, is pivoted or rocked downwardly- A coil spring 168 surrounds a setscrew 169, which is screwed intothe bracket 16 1 and engages the opposite side of the lever V 163. Thus the spring 168 functions-to urge the stitching roll 161 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 11. V

' Theseveral strips of fabric and rubber are aligned and joined in superimposed relation between rollers 137a and 131, which stitch the. several layers together. Subsequently they pass between roller 137a and the secondary rollerlGl which is resiliently urged: against the former. To facilitate the separation of the overlapping stepped ends of adjoining strips, periodical oscillatory motion is imparted to the roller 137 whereby it is pivotally moved away from complementary stitching rollers 131 and 161, thus interrupting the continuous stitching operation which would otherwise result.

The cutting members are operated intermittently by mechanism to be described later, although at definite predetermined intervals, which may be varied if so desired. The time ing mechanism which controls the interval for operation, as well as the elements which drive the cutting members, include the differential 9-1 which is of conventional design. This structure includes the axle shaft 112 and a second axle shaft 175 disposed in coaxial relation therewith. Beveled gears 176 and 17 7 are keyed to the adjacent ends of the shafts. These gears are interconnected by spider pinions 178, which idle upon stub shafts 179 that are secured in a housing 181. The latter incloses both the pinions, as well as the bevel gears. A ring gear 182 surrounds the housing which is rigidly secured thereto and meshes with a pinion 183 that is keyed to a shaft 184.

Normally and during the intervals when the cutting roller 1380s is inoperative, the motion is transmitted from the beveled gear 176 through the pinions 17-8, to the beveled gear 177 that is keyed to the shaft 175. One end of this shaft 175 is supported by a bearing 18b of the differential and the other end is journaled in the rear casting 92. A brake drum 187 and a gear 188 (Figs. 3 and 9) are keyed to the shaft 175. That portion of the exposed side of the rear casting 92, which houses the end of the shaft 175, has a collar 189 cast integrally therewith. This collar is provided with a relatively rotatable member 191 having a recessed portion Within which two intermeshing pinions 192 and 193 are rotatably mounted. The pinion 192 meshes with the gear 188, which is keyed to the axle 17 5. It will be observed that the member 191 may be pivoted through a considerable arc and that it is secured in the desired adjusted position by bolts 194 which pass through slots 196 provided therefor in the rear casting. The pinion 193, which meshes with its complementary pinion 192, likewise meshes with an interchangeable timin g gear 197, shown in Fig. 9 by dot-and-dash lines. This gear controls the interval during which the cutting members remain stationary and, therefore, determines the length of the chafing strip product. The gear 197 is re movably fitted and bolted upon a face plate 198 which is rigidly secured to a shaft 199, the latter being journaled in the rear casting and in an auxiliary bracket 201 (Fig. 3) that is secured to the differential casting94. Timing gears of different sizes are adapted to be mounted on the face plate 198 in the same manner as the gear 197. The end of the shaft 199 projecting beyond the auxiliary bracket has a short rod 202 secured theretoin eccentric relation. The rod 202 imparts an oscillatory motion to a device 203 for counting the rotations ofthe shaft corresponding to the number of chafing strips produced.

As best shown in Fig. 7, acam member 206 having an abrupt stepped portion is secured to the shaft 199. The surface of the cam is engaged by a pawl 207 which is pivoted upon a bracket 208 that is supported by a frame support 209 which is secured to the base portion 90 of the fabricating unit. The pawl 207 is at all times urged against the surface of the cam by a horizontally disposed coil spring 211, that engages the pawl below its fulcrum point. In order to control the compressive force of the spring 211 a nut 212 is provided which may be adjusted along a screw-threaded pin213. The pin is secured to a vertically disposed standard 214 which constitutes a part of the frame support 209.

One end of a rod 216 is secured to the pawl below its fulcrum point by pin 217. The other end is pivotally secured to a bell crank lever 218, constituting a part of a brake mechanism 215 which includes the brake drum 187, already described. One end of a Ushaped member 219 is pivo-tally secured to the stand .ard 214 by pin 220, whereas the otherend is similarly secured to the bell crank by a pin 223. A brake shoe 221 is pivotally secured to the lower portion of the U-shaped member and a similarly constructed brake member 222 is disposed in an inverted position above the brake drum 187, one end thereof being secured to the standard 214. The other end of the brake member 222 is slidably disposed about a pin 223a pivotally secured to the bell crank lever by means of a pin 225 and which serves as a connecting member between the bell crank lever218 and the brake members 219 and 222. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the brake is in a clamped position. When the brake is released, however, a spring 224 which rests upon a bracket arm 226, through which the pin 223a passes, raises the upper U-shaped member 222 and by actuation of the bell crank lever 218 the U-shaped member 219 is moved downwardly away from the drum 187.

It will be observed that the brake is clamped by what may be termed a floating pivot, that is, the hell crank member 218 does not have a stationary fulcrum. The pin 225 functions as a. pivot to raise the U-shaped member 219, whereas pin 223, which joins the bell crank to the lower U-shaped member functions as a pivot to compress the spring 224 and to cause the upper brake shoe to engage the brake drum. Conversely, when the pawl 207 ongages the annular portion of the cam 206, the releasing operation involves a. similar dual pivotal action.

Asbest shown in Fig. 8, a collar 228 secured ill) to the shaft 199 is freely encompassed by a radially disposed lug 229 by means of a collar segment 283 rigidly secured to the member 228and disposedad-jacent and relatively movable with respectto the trip plate The cam 2-31 is provided with an integrallug 234, which isadjacent the radial lug member 229. These lugs 229 and 234 are separated by a spring 236, although the lug 234 may be actuated against the force oft-he spring through the agency of the trip member 232, without nece ssitating 'ro tative movement by the shaft. I

A bell crank 238 is pivoted abouta pin 239 rigidlysecu'red to the rear casting 92 of the frame. Que en'dofa spring 241-engages an arm 238a of the bell crank and urges it in ananti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. i

8. The lower end of this spring is supported by a nut 242, threaded upon a bolt 243 that is contained in the tapped head of astud shaft 244-secured in-casting 92 of the frame. The bell crank is actuated by the cam 231 with which it is maintained in engagement by the spring. 7 r

' 'The-arin238a of the bell crank 238 engages at intervals a cam 246 which is secured to the shaftl84. This cam, in turn, has bolted thereto a trip plate 247 similar to the plate 232 previously described in connection with the cam 231. The elongate portion of the trip plate247 momentarily engages and actuates the elongate portion of the plate 232 during e'achrevolution of the shaft 184.

In addition to thecani 246, there'is secured to :the shaft 184 another cam member 249 which is of a construction and contour similar to cam 206. A pawl member 251 is fulcrumed upon the frame member 209 and its lower extremity engages'one end of aspring 252 that surrounds a threaded pin 253. The other end of the spring abuts an adjustable nut 254 which is screwed on the threaded pm 253. The spring 252 may be tightened or released by turning the nut 254 in the proper direction. Its sole function is to maintain the pawl 251 in contact with the surface of the cam 249. This portionof the machine,-namely the cam 249 and pawl 251, serves merely to prevent the shaft 184, to which cam 249 is secured, from rebounding or reversing by reason of any jarring action that may be imparted thereto.

Oneend of the shaft 184 is provided with a hollow gear 256 rigidly secured thereto 3), which embraces and rotates freely about a collar 255 that projects from the casting 93 and is integral therewith. The collar serves as a guide for the gear 256, which meshes with and drives a gear 257 (Fig. 6) that is keyed to the shaft 138. The hollow gear likewise meshes with a'gear 258, which iis ke-yed :to the shaft'152. The relation of the shaft 138 has been described in connection with the pivoted measuring roller 137. The shaft 152 and its associate shaft 259, which is driven bythe former through the gear258 and gear 260, thelatter being keyed smears to shaft 259, "are journaledfin the front-casting 91. and intermediate castings :93. The shafts 152 and "259 extend beyond the casting 91 and are provided 'withco'llars or rollers n 261 and 262,-each having a helical knife 263 secured thereto, which operates in conjunctionwith measuring rollers 135 and 131, grespectively, to perform the cutting operation. The cam 151,'to which reference has already beenmade, is keyedto the shaft 152 andactu; ates roller 149 of the bifurcated arm 148,

which is integral with the jacket 141. I The jacket hinges about the shaft 138 and supports the shaft 137. It is from this source that intermittent pivotal movement is imparted to the measuring and stitching roll 137a.

Gum strip removing device This :part of my machine consists of a rectangular frame portion 270 that is supported by four ball bearing wheels 27.1, which .are adapted to travelin rollingcontact along two horizontal angle-iron tracks 212. vertical members v27 3, and-bythe trellis, struc- The angle members are supported by ture 21. A rear journal casting 274 (Fig. 6

14) forminga part ofthe frame270 extends below the tracks 272. The frame 270 also includes a bracket 276, rigidly secured to {the journal casting 274. Two horizontal shafts 277' and 278 are rotatably -mounted in relatively long bearing sockets provided in the journal .casting, the portions of the shafts extending therefrom being rectangular in cross-section. The front ends of the shafts are loosely disposed in a U-shaped member 279, which :is pivoted to the rectangular frame 270. An L-shaped latch 281 isswingably mounted upon the frame and normally assumes a vertical position where it maintains the -.U-shaped member 279 in engagement with the .ends of the shafts 277 and 278. The rear ends of the shafts 277 and 278 project a-short distance beyond the jourrotatably supported in the bracket 276 and is provided with two collars 289 that are secured thereto inorder to obviate lateral play. Thezshaft 288-supports the wheels-287 which are keyed to its ends, together wit-ha smallhand lever 290. The lever is adapted I .to engage an L-shaped latch 291:that is fillcrumed upon the bracket 276. In order to lower the weights 284 andthereby cause the brake-band 283 to-engage the pulley 282, the latch 291 is swung in a clockwise direction,

as viewed in Fig. 14, whereby it will escape engagement with the lever 290.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, power is supplied to the gum strip removing device through the chain 123 from the auxiliary drive shaft 116, already described. The chain 123 drives a sprocket 123a, which is keyed to the splined shaft 124 that is journalled at each end in the angle-iron frame structure 273. A collar 292 is mounted on this shaft which consists of two sections 293 and 294 that are held together by pins 297 (Figs. 13 and 16). The sections are machined to accommodate, when united, two sets of ball bearings 298 and 299, which rotatably support a set of rollers 300 whose peripheries mesh with the splined portion of the shaft 124. By this construction axial movement of the collar along the shaft 124 is facilitated while the collar is driven by the shaft.

A sleeve 301 is loosely mounted on the shaft 124 and is made unitary with the driven collar 292. A sprocket 302 is keyed to this sleeve. On one side of the sprocket 302 the shaft 124 is enclosed by a journal bracket 303 which constitutes an upper integral portion of the bracket 276. On the other side of the sprocket 302 an arm 304 is loosely disposed about the shaft 124 and is joined securely to the bracket 303 by pins 306. A slotted plate 30:? rigidly secured to the arm 304 adjustably supports a slack take-up idler roller 308 that engages a chain 309 trained about the sprocket 302.

A main shaft 310 of the device rotatably supported at its extreme rear end by the bracket 276. The shaft 310 also extends across the frame casting 27 4 and is rotatably journalled therein. A hand wheel 311 is rigidly secured to the front end of the shaft 310. rilso a sprocket 312 and a gear 313 are rotatably mounted thereon adjacent the rear end thereof. Adjacent hub portions of the sprocket and gear have serrated edges which are adapted to be engaged by cooperating serrated portions of an annularly recessed collar 314 which is slidably keyed to the shaft 310. The members 312, 313 and 314 constitute a clutch mechanism generally designated by the numeral 315'.

he collar 314 is actuated laterally by two arms 316 which engage the recessed portion on opposite sides thereof. These members are fulcrumed about a vertically disposed stud shaft 317 that is secured in the bracket 276. The opposite ends of the links 316 are interconnected by a pin 318 to which a rod 319 is secured that extends to the front of the ma chine (Fig. 13). An additional link 321 is pivoted about the stud shaft 317 and is adjustably mounted upon a pin 322, the latter being pivoted. to the pin 318. Nuts 323 are positioned on opposite sides of the link 321 to secure the same in any desirable adjusted position. The extreme end of the link is joined to an electrical circuit reversing device 324 whose function will be described later.

A relatively short shaft 326 disposed adj acent and parallel to the rear portion of the main shaft 310 is journaled at both ends in the bracket 276 that is bolted to member 274. A sprocket 327 having the same number of teeth as sprocket 312, is keyed to the shaft 326 and is driven by the chain 309. Also a gear 328 keyed to the shaft 326 meshes with the gear 313, these two gears being. exactly the same size. From this construction it will be observed that the sprockets 312 and 327 are always rotated in the same direction by the chain 309. When the collar 314 engages the sprocket 312, the shaft 310 will be rotated in the same direction as the sprocket itself. When, however, the collar 314 is shifted by sliding the rod 319 so as to actuate the link 316, the collar engages the serrated portion of the gear 313, and rotative motion is transmitted from the shaft 326 through the gear 328 to rotate the shaft 310 in the direction opposite that just described.

. Two sprockets 330 mounted in spaced relation are rigidly secured to the shaft 310. Also, two arms 331 and 332 are pivotally suspended from this shaft. Adjacent the lower ends of the arms, bearings are provided which rigidly support the ends of a tubular shaft 333. Two sprockets 334 are freely rotated about the tube 333 and are driven by chains 336 and 337 trained about the respective sprockets330. The corresponding links of these chains have secured thereto individual transversely disposed bar or slat members 338 having knurled outer surfaces. This construction constitutes a so-called caterpillar which. serves as a rewinding mechanism for fabric liner rolls 339 and 340 having gum strips 60 wound therein. the manipulation of which will hereinafter be described.

The tubular shaft 333 serves as a bearing for a rod 342, which is provided with a handle 343 keyed to one end thereof and a lever 344 rigidly secured to the other end thereof. One end of the lever 344 is provided with a cable 345 which passesbetween two grooved pulleys 346 and 347 which are rotatably mounted upon a bracket 350 secured to the lower portion of the member 274. From these pulleys the cable is trained over a pulley 348, which is mounted upon the bracket 350 similarly to pulleys 346 and 347. A weight 349 is suspended from the free end of the cable. By reason of the force of this weight and the position of the lever 344, the caterpillar is maintained at an angle to the vertical. When it is desired to pivot the caterpillar away from either one or the other of the liner rolls 339 or 340, the operator imparts a quick downward movement to the lever 344 by means of the handle 343. As illustrated by the position ofthe mechanism as shown in Fig. 12,

i 347, between which the cable must pass, the

theend portion of the cable 345 attached :to the 'lever'344 is disposed in a horizontal posi tion and the .cable therefore exerts a force upon the caterpillar tending to swing it in a clockwise direction about the shaft 310. 7 Because the .lever 344 iseccentric with respect to the adjacent portions of pulleys 346' and weight 349 is necessarilyraised somewhat by the downward movement of the lever. Gontinued pivotal movement of the lever beyond the verticalposition will change the direction of the horizontal component force exerted on the cable 345 by the weight 349 and will thereby swing the pivoted caterpillar in an anti-clockwise directionand the weight will simultaneously be lowered.

Another form of the eccentric mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18. It differs from the other embodiment in that an aukiliary journal member390 is provided,which is rigidly secured to the casting 274 and which journals :two parallel shafts 391a and 391?). Asprocket'392is keyed to shaft 391a, and .is aligned with a similar sprocket 393 that is keyed to the othershaft 39112. In addition, a third sprocket 394 is provided which is keyed to the shaft 391?). One end of a chain 396 is secured to the end of the eccentric arm 344, and is trained between the aligned sprockets 392 and 393; the other end of the chain 396 is rigidly secured tothe sprocket 393 at 397. A second chain 398'is provided which is trained over the sprocket 394; one of its ends being secured to the sprocket at 399, whereas the other end suspends a welght 400 which is connected thereto by means of a coil spring 401. The weight has two parallel grooves 402 machined therein to receive two suspended vertical guide members 403 which are bolted to the auxiliary journal 390. These guides are-maintained in spaced relation by means of two cross links 404 which are rigidly secured thereto.

, The operation of this embodiment is not unlike that described above. The arm 344 is disposed in eccentric relation with respect to the aligned sprockets 392 and 393; thus the weight 400 is raised and lowered each time the arm is pivoted, for the purpose of shifting the caterpillar into engagement with one or the other of the rolls of fabric 339-1340.

The are through which the caterpillar may be pivoted is limited by protruding lug portions 351 which are integral with a U-shaped member 352 thatis pivoted upon the rectangular frame 270, as indicated at 353 (Fig. 13). The lugs engage the rear arm member 332. In order to cushion the-swinging movement of the U-shape member 352 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, a 0011 spring 354is provided,oneendof which engages theU-shape member and't-he other end o'f which-is securedtothe casting 274. Duringthelnormal operation of the' device,it is not necessary that the pivotal movement of the caterpillarbe restricted by the lug members 351, therefore, the yU-shape member bearing the lugs may be swung out of engagement with :the arm 332 by lowering a lever 356,-that is securedthereto atits fulcrum point 353. A triangularlatch 357, which is securedto therectangular frame member270 maintains the lever 356 in a lowered position. The lever is sufiiciently resilient to be sprung horizontally out of contact with the triangular member when it is desired that the lugs 351 be rendered operative. f

Two elongate idler rollers 358, which are parallel .to the, drive shaft 310 areidisposed within the rectangular frame member 270. The portion of the roll340 containing the strips ofgum is trained and is guided'by the rollersx358. The liner is wound about shells 361 and .362, which are provided with rectangular sockets adapted toberemovably positioned upontherectangular portions of the shafts 277 and 278, respectively. "Preparatory to operation of the machine, one full roll including-theshell is slipped on one of the shafts 277 and 278, whereas an empty s 16ll is mounted upon the other shaft. The liner is conducted overthe two idler rollers 358,7as wellasoverthetop of the caterpillar and is wound about the emptyshell orspool in a manner as-illustrated in Fig. 12.

In removing the strips of rubber60 the liner is alternately wound about one spool; and rewound about the other until thesupply of strips is exhausted. It-willjbe observed that the caterpillar engagesthe roll, which isbeing wound, thereby leaving the other roll free to unwind, with only the weighted brake band 283 to resist its rotary movement.

Immediately above the caterpillar an -L- shaped bracketr363 is secured to an angleiron 364, forming a part of the trellis frame 21. Two cylindrical members 366 are both rotatably mounted between two spaced mem bers 367and 368. One of these members367 is journaled in the ,L-shaped bracket363, whereas the other member 368 is j ournaled in a housing 369, that is secured to the angle iron 364. A sprocket 36966 is keyed to one end of the member 368 and is provided with a chain 371 which is-driven by a motor 370. The motor is mounted upon the stationary angle member 364. 'VVhen energized, the motor causes the roller members 366 to revolve rapidly about the axis of the sprocket 369a. The rollers engage the strips 60 andimpart a beating action thereto adjacent the points where they are separated from the liner, before it isiconducted' over a roller 373, which is rotatably mounted upon the frame member 364. The beating action that is imparted to the strips by the revolving rollers 366 serves to peel the plastic rubbermaterial away-from the liner without injuriously distorting the 

